Bengals at Browns: Game preview, odds, prediction
By James Dudko
The winless Cleveland Browns host Ohio state rivals the Cincinnati Bengals at FirstEnergy Stadium in Week 14. Here are the odds, along with a preview and prediction for Sunday’s game.
The big question for the Cleveland Browns is who will play quarterback against the Cincinnati Bengals in Week 14? Robert Griffin III has been cleared for contact after a stint on IR and looks likely to start over veteran Josh McCown.
Head coach Hue Jackson hasn’t named his starter yet, though. The uncertainty under center is one reason the Bengals are favored this week. Cincinnati is a six-point favorite, according to Odds Shark, with the over/under set at 43.
But the Browns can upset the odds if things finally click in the passing game. Jackson’s quarterback of choice has to make the most of a talented contingent of wide receivers. Rookie Corey Coleman and converted quarterback Terrelle Pryor can push coverage deep. The latter has produced three 100-yard games this season.
Pryor and Coleman both have the track speed to burn the Bengals. But a lot will depend on the Browns’ ability to give the quarterback time in the pocket to launch vertical strikes.
It won’t be easy against a Cincinnati defense featuring talented pass-rushers up front. End Carlos Dunlap is the most productive, logging seven sacks this season. Dunlap has two sacks in his last three games. Aside from the men in the trenches, the Bengals can generate heat on the blitz. D-coordinator Paul Guenther isn’t shy about sending the house to force quarterbacks into mistakes.
Guenther will surely dial up pressure against a Browns team that’s allowed an NFL-high 45 sacks and 104 QB hits. The Bengals need their defense to lead the way because the offense is missing its best playmakers. Wide receiver A.J. Green is still not practicing thanks to a torn hamstring. Meanwhile, pass-catching running back Giovani Bernard tore his ACL.
Fortunately, the Bengals have gotten production from rookie wideout Tyler Boyd and deep threat Brandon LaFell. The two combined for nine catches and 161 yards during Week 13’s win over the Philadelphia Eagles. Boyd and LaFell are supplemented by tight end Tyler Eifert. He’s normally a matchup nightmare, but Eifert may find it difficult to escape the Browns’ inside linebackers.
The presence of Christian Kirksey, Demario Davis and Jamie Collins make linebacker the strongest position group on the roster. This trio has to shackle the underneath targets of Bengals quarterback Andy Dalton, while also pressuring the pocket.
It’s up to coordinator Ray Horton to get creative with how he uses Collins and Co.
Not having Bernard as a check-down will hurt Dalton against Cleveland’s linebacker-led D’. But the Red Rifle is playing some of his best football this season.
Dalton can push the Browns closer to 0-16.
Pick: Bengals 21, Browns 17